About Us
We are Aaron and Laura Metz; a husband and wife team that is behind everything that Exhale Art Gallery embodies.
Our journey of art and crystal has been evolving since 2014; that is the year that Aaron started creating crystal infused artwork. His goal was to make art that was pleasing to the eye while bringing the health benefits of minerals and crystals into your living space at the same time. Art lovers were curious and the pursuit of creating this artwork continued. In 2018, things really escalated on our path and we surrendered ourselves into taking a break from the speed of work/life. We sold our possessions and moved to Mexico with our children for six months. It was a wonderful press of the pause button. As fate would have it, we happened to connect with two mine sites that house selenite ice crystal also know as gypsum crystal. Completely enamored, we ended up purchasing almost 5000 lbs of raw crystal on that sojourn and began the expansion of our crystalline art business.
We feel as though we are guided to be guardians of this master mineral crystal – Selenite Ice. Aaron started infusing it into his artwork in 2014 and since that time we have expanded into crystalline sculptures, jewelry, meditation tools, and many wellness products. We are passionate in sharing its beauty and countless benefits and applications with as many people as possible.
Our dreams have now come true in opening our gallery in Oliver, BC. And we are proud to be the only place in Canada that can showcase truly unique art and crystal pieces. With warm hearts, we invite you to come and say “hello” and experience Exhale Art Gallery
About the Artist
Aaron K. Metz was born and raised in Kelowna;
the jewel of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Growing up, his playground was his family’s orchards and surrounding mountains; to him it was vast and magical. This instilled a great sense of wonder and connection that Aaron orchestrates in his artwork today.
With over 30 years of experience in the art world, Aaron spent 15 years immersed in a career of strategic planning and helping to build a multi-million dollar art company. During this time, he gained infinite product knowledge of the highest quality materials for artwork, he has developed a meticulous attention-to-detail work ethic and he has been a guiding bridge to artists in and around the community.
Aaron balances the cerebral with the heart in all of his creations. He uses his extensive knowledge of product and technique within a completely ardent and meditative state of being. Painting the far reaches of the cosmos and bathing the image surface in healing crystals, he has found an indelible way to fuse Mother Earth and Father Sky into each masterpiece that you can see and feel. There are a high echelon of metaphysical teachers across the globe that use Aaron’s artworks to facilitate and promote healing in their practices.
Aaron K. Metz is truly a pioneer that has brought forth a new and exciting way of creating fine art which also works to cleanse you and your space. Over 600 original, mineral – infused fine artworks are in private collections throughout Canada, USA, Mexico, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world.
A variety of minerals and crystals are chosen for his mixed media creations, however the master crystal Aaron chooses is Selenite Ice. Aaron travels direct to the mine site, hand selects each specimen, river cleans and polishes all by hand before incorporating them into an art piece. His gallery, Exhale Art Gallery in BC, Canada hosts some of the rarest and largest pieces of this crystallized mineral on display in North America.
Aaron creates his artworks by moving his consciousness into a tiny space that exists within our hearts called the creation space. This space is our connection to all that truly is. It is here that he is able to transport himself into the energetic field called zeropoint or what some call Source or God. Within this space, Aaron sees, feels and weaves each unique crystalline landscape. It’s as though he may actually be creating new universes and realms which we, the viewer, can traverse and explore without even stepping out our front door. Aaron’s art brings us back to our beginnings and reminds us of a beauty and a vastness that is as much “out there” as it is within each of us. We are all connected and life is timeless.
Artist Statement
I often say that “the paintbrush is my Hubble” and the following words will help explain.
Back in 2013, while deep within a meditation, I was presented with an image of the artwork that I was to create. It bared no similarity to the style I was working on at the time. The instructions contained in that vision, unveiled a brand new process, subject matter and emotional fuel to what I was meant to paint. This content and technique was to be based on our “origins” or building blocks of life, which blend the cosmos above with the minerals below.
I was to let go of all rational thought and allow my brush to be directed from my heart which would allow myself to access pure “space”. So I started the next day.
Now, how does all of this come to fruition? The best word to describe the process is “layers”. For me, the artist, I peel back the so called “layers” or preconceptions of myself and I get truly quiet. And as for the art, the layers get added on starting with the foundation of gesso and purple dioxazine acrylic. What happens next with my paint and paintbrush is a guided mystery that never ceases to surprise me.
After the cosmos unfolds, a layer of various crystals are generously doused across the entire surface. Why do I add this layer of crystals over the painting? Well, first is the fact that what is existing in and on our planet, also exists out there in our universe; it is quite relative. Secondly, the healing benefits of these crystals are so numerous. For example, Selenite, which I use in each piece, produces twice the amount of negative ions per cubic centimetre than a pristine forest. Also, every crystal’s lattice is so balanced and orderly, the energy it emits is consistent and when dissonant energy is near, it is balanced and transformed into a harmonic energy making you feel good.
The final layers are the encasement of non-toxic resin. I chose this glassy medium primarily to enable you to actually see your reflection in space. The dance of your eyes engages you to focus at the composition of the artwork, then swiftly changes to seeing yourself in the vastness of the universe. I am fascinated with the uplifting curiosity of this process.
I create for you to enjoy this space.
Visit Us
6365 MAIN STREET
OLIVER BC
V0H 1T0
CANADA
Hours
MON: 10 am – 5 pm
TUES: CLOSED
WED: CLOSED
THURS: 10 am – 5 pm
FRI: 10 am – 5 pm
SAT: 10 am – 5 pm
SUN: 10 am – 5 pm